I-40 lane closures near NLR set for Friday

Work to test soil ahead of interstate widening

Highway officials will close an Interstate 40 lane near North Little Rock on Friday for research work, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department said Wednesday.

Crews drilling to test the soil beneath the driving surface will require closing the westbound, inside lane between mile markers 145 and 146, just west of the I-40/I-430 interchange, the department said.

The closure will run between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday, weather permitting, highway officials said. Warning signs and barrels will be used to alert drivers.

The tests are being conducted ahead of widening I-40 to six lanes between Arkansas 365 and Interstate 430, a project that will include modifying the I-430 interchange, highway officials said. That project is scheduled for bidding later this year.